Abstract: The invention concerns a device for presentation of peptides or of proteins, which can be used as a “polypeptide chip” for the miniaturised detection of molecules structurally or functionally complementary to the said polypeptides. This device consists of a flat support onto which the polypeptides are covalently bonded, this bonding between the polypeptides and the support resulting from the formation of a semicarbazone bond. The semicarbazone bond results in particular from the reaction between polypeptides bearing an aldehyde or ketone function and a support functionalised with semicarbazide groups. The invention also concerns the process for preparation of the supports and for attaching polypeptides onto these supports and also the use of the devices thus obtained as polypeptide chips.

Abstract: The invention concerns products comprising a support whereon are fixed nucleic acids and their preparation method and use as DNA support. The invention also concerns functionalised supports, oligonucleotides and DNA's modified in position 5′ by a group selected in the group consisting of tartaric acid, serine, threonine, their derivatives and the &agr;-oxoaldehyde group, and the methods for preparing them. The invention further concerns a method for fixing a nucleic acid on a support.

Abstract: A weightlifting hand strap for use with a weightlifting bar having a spring strip, a strap of fibrous material covering an exterior of the spring strip, and a wrist loop formed at an end of the strap. The wrist loop serves to extend around a human wrist. The spring strip is a self-coiling strip which is operable to self-roll to thereby roll up the strip around the weightlifting bar. The strap covers the strip such that the strip resides interior of the strap. The wrist loop is formed of a fibrous material integrally connected with the strap. The wrist loop extends outwardly generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of the strap. The spring strip is operable so as to self-roll in a direction facing the wrist loop.